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8/22/10

An Encounter With Patricia Neal

(INT. JOHN IS WALKING THROUGH THE BACK
OF THE THEATRE AND COMES UPON PATRICIA
NEAL WASHING DISHES, AS SHE WOULD HAVE
APPEARED IN THE FILM 'HUD'. A PLAY IS HEARD
IN THE BACKGROUND, INTERUPTED OCASSION-
ALLY BY THE SOUND OF CHICKENS CUKKLING
AND COWS MOOING.)

JOHN

Selma, what are you doing here?

NEAL

What's it look like I'm doing Honey? I'm washing dishes!
That's what I do 'round here! I wash dishes! ...Do you
have an extra smoke on you?

JOHN

Yea sure! Where's Hud tonight?

NEAL

Who knows with him! I'm just glad he's out of the house for
a while. I need the time away from him. You know what a
pill he can be!

JOHN

Yea, sure! Hey listen, can you come over here and talk
to me?

NEAL

Is this close enough Honey?

JOHN

I just wanted to light your cigerette for you properly.

(JOHN PULLS NEAL CLOSE TO HIM)

NEAL

You're such a gentleman!

JOHN

And then some? And you feel so good! You have a
womanly body! And you're a big girl too! You're
bigger than you appear on the big screen. I like that!
Can I get a kiss?

(NEAL KISSES JOHN LIGHTLY ON CHEEK)

What's up with the Hollywood kiss? That's how you would
kiss your grandmother! Now try again sweetheart! I don't
want any tongue. I just want a kiss!

NEAL

Okay!

(THEY KISS)

JOHN

I think you're beautiful! You're gorgeous! I like everything
about you! Are you Italian?

NEAL

No, I'm from Georgia!

JOHN

On both sides?

NEAL

No, just my Mother's! My Father's from Spain!

JOHN

A Conquistador! Can I get another kiss?

(THEY KISS)

You feel so good! I think I'm in love with you.

NEAL

I have a five-month old baby!

JOHN

Your lips are so soft!

NEAL

And a very sickly mother!

JOHN

Can I touch you there?

NEAL

I've had my fill of cocaine and pills!

JOHN

Do you have any now?

NEAL

I was abused as a child!

JOHN

That feels so good! You're so beautiful! Can you make
a pounding noise?

NEAL

Under certain circumstances! Why do you ask? Why are
you telling me this?

JOHN

Are you a backdoor girl?

NEAL

Once! In Branson Missouri! But I've never told anyone,
not even Hud.

JOHN

Tell me all about you! That's all I want to know.

NEAL

I was sixteen. Out on my own for the very first time!

JOHN

I bet you were gorgous.

NEAL

I was! Big breasted and small hipped!

JOHN

Sweet sixteen!

NEAL

I was legal! And I didn't have a care in the world.

JOHN

Were you wearing that apron?

NEAL

Yes, I was working in a truckstop...

JOHN

Serving coffee...

NEAL

And dounuts...Yes! He caught my eye as soon as he
came in the door. A tall lanky boy with blond curls and
ocean blue eyes. I could make out the faint sound of
drumming. Jungle drums in a rain forest far far away.
Wet and succulent plants all around me. Wild animals
crying out in the night! A band of Zulu warriors slowing
circling 'round....